Improving fodder production, conservation
and processing for intensified milk and
meat production in the central region of Mongolia

1. BACKGROUND

Mongolia is a landlocked
developing country (LLDC) in central Asia bordered by the Russian Federation
to the north, China to the south and Kazakhstan to the west. It has a
low population of 2.6 million people in a country of 1.5 million km2.
The short summers are dry and hot, but during the long, freezing winters,
temperatures can drop below -30 degrees centigrade with strong winds.
Around 40 percent of the population lives in sparsely populated rural
areas, leading a semi-nomadic lifestyle. Mongolia’s livestock graze for
about two thirds of the year on natural pastures. Starting from October,
pasture grasses and vegetation are frozen and dried out, and lose their
feeding potential. Livestock then face a shortage of protein. During the
winter and spring seasons, yield of pasture declines by 33-73 percent
which affects the availability of fodder as well as protein. At this time
livestock only have 40-50 percent of the required nutrient intake, and
lose 28-36 percent of their live weight.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, Mongolia lost
its subsidies and its markets and the economy collapsed. Gross domestic
product (GDP) fell sharply from US$1 645 per capita in 1989 to US$393
in 2003, taking Mongolia from the status of a second world country to
that of a third world country. A process of de-industrialization has left
the Mongolian economy dependent mainly on services, mining and agriculture
(especially cashmere); although agriculture is vulnerable to drought,
land degradation and severe winters. During the transition of the 1990s
livestock were privatized, and many industrial workers turned to herding
to earn a living. Head of livestock increased sharply during several years
of moderate climatic conditions from the 26 million maintained under the
soviet system to 33 million, despite the collapse of centralized fodder
production and distribution. However, between 1999 and 2001, Mongolia
suffered from two harsh winters and dzuds (any condition that stops
livestock from grazing grass). Millions of animals, already weakened from
poor pastures due to summer droughts and locusts, died from starvation.
More than 3.5 million animals died in 2000 and another 4.7 million in
2001. Over 10 000 herders were left with no livestock and thousands
more families lost most of their herd. Many people new to herding concentrated
around water sources and soum (county) and aimag (province)
centres, which led to problems of overgrazing and land degradation in
areas close to population centres.

Mongolia's official statistics show that fodder production fell by two
thirds during the transition period, due especially to closure of state
farms that cultivated fodder crops under irrigation for feeding green
and for conservation as hay and silage. In 1986-1990 fodder was cultivated
on 117 thousand ha, and silage was made from 26 thousand ha. Compared
to this period production of hay from natural pastures fell from 1 154
to 689 thousand tons in 2004; straw from 114 to 22 thousand tons; green
fodder from 256 to 4 thousand tons; perennial grasses from 22 thousand
tons to nil; other fodders from 160 to 16 thousand tons, silage from 278
to 1 thousand tons; and total "fodder units" from 994 to 357
thousand tons. Since the transition hay harvested from mature natural
pastures by herders and contractors has been the mainstay of fodder available
to both herders and intensified livestock producers.

During the soviet era Mongolia exported both livestock products and cereals
from collectives and state farms to other parts of the union. During the
transition these markets collapsed, and only half of the previous 1.2
million ha of croplands is currently cultivated. State marketing organizations
are similarly closed, so that whereas Mongolia was previously self-sufficient
in milk and meat, 80 percent of the urban market is now supplied from
imported products.

Since 1999-2001 livestock production within 200 km of Ulaanbaatar and
other cities is being intensified, compared to traditional semi-nomadic
herding, supported by the Government of Mongolia:

Integrated crop and livestock farms are encouraged in Selenge, Tov
and Bulgan aimags for commercial animal production. These include
farms for milk production (121 farms with an average of 27 cows); meat
production (beef) (10 farms with an average of 60 cattle); and wool
and fibre production (8 farms with an average of 500 sheep and goats).
These farms graze livestock on natural and improved pastures in summer,
and have started to conserve specially grown fodder crops as silage
or hay for winter feeding.

Many herders have settled as commercial milk producers in the peri-urban
districts of Ulaanbaatar and Darhan (82 farms with an average of 20
cows). These milk producers graze improved cows locally and purchase
all fodder as hay from pastures.

Semi-nomadic herders, whose seasonal camps are adjacent to soum
and aimag centres, and are interested to sell milk to these centres
in order to sustain their livelihoods.

29 pig and 23 poultry units in the 3 aimags and 2 peri-urban
areas.

Fodder and feed development is therefore required to develop intensified livestock
production:

Integrated crop and livestock farms to grow new selected varieties
of annual and perennial fodder crops under rainfed and irrigated conditions
respectively, for conservation by modern methods as hay and silage to
feed their own animals - and to sell improved fodder conserved as hay
to herders with camps adjacent to aimag and soum centres
to raise their winter animal production, with transport of surplus fodder
for sale to peri-urban producers;

Crop farmers to adopt a new cropping strategy that includes use of
new annual fodder crops including legumes as break crops in rainfed
rotations, and 3-4 years alfalfa plus annual fodder crops as break crops
in irrigated rotations. This fodder to be conserved using modern methods
as hay, or processed as dried fodder cubes and pellets, for sale to
peri-urban milk and meat producers;

Rations for milk and meat production based on the new conserved fodder
crops need to be developed, for feeding to crossbred and pure Simmental
and Black & White cows;

Improved compound animal feeds need to be formulated and produced
by feed mills for feeding by commercial milk and meat producers as supplements
to conserved fodder crops.

These fodder and feed development programmes meet the requirements of
the GovernmentRegional Development Concept,
the Food and Agriculture Policy and the Intensified
Livestock Production Development Support Programmeof State Ih
Hural of Mongolia. Expected results include "...increase in productivity
with growth of the incomes and living standards of the intensified livestock
farmers, and improvement of the population food supply in regional and
local development centres and settlements".

This TCP request was given high priority by Government and the TCP liaised
closely with other projects in Mongolia that supported fodder development
by herders and farmers.

2. OBJECTIVES

The objective of the project was to increase the quantity and quality
of fodder available to market oriented livestock farmers in the Central
region through the introduction of modern fodder production technologies,
the establishment of demonstration farms for producing and conserving
fodder, and the setting up of a sustainable fodder supply in Mongolia.

Specifically the project aimed to:

Improve, through capacity building, farmers' fodder production and
conservation technology and to introduce advanced methods so as to increase
fodder output as well as to improve livestock feeding practices;

Establish, through institutional building, appropriate sized fodder
systems and supporting facilities, including the setting up of small
and medium sized fodder production and conservation units for demonstration;

Introduce new improved fodder crops and varieties suited to both
the local dry and harsh rainfed environment and refurbished irrigated
farms, for seed multiplication and extension of the most suitable fodder
crops and varieties.

3. OUTPUTS

The major project outputs were
expected to be:

Farmer, herder and feed manufacturer
groups formed as focal points for training and demonstration for the
project - through the Agricultural Extension Centres;

New fodder crops and varieties introduced,
and evaluated under rainfed and irrigated conditions, through contracts
with international and national institutions and farmers' groups;

Seed multiplication of selected varieties
of fodder crops established under contract on registered seed multiplication
farms within seed certification schemes for each crop - through contracts
with farmers and the Crop Promotion Fund and supervised by the Plant
Science and Agricultural Research and Training Institute (PSARTI);

Modern techniques for fodder conservation
from fodder crops as hay and as silage demonstrated on integrated crop
and livestock farms and on crop farms through farmers' groups;

Plans for a demonstration unit for
processing alfalfa to dried pellets with facilities to compare three
production methods prepared for funding by a third party donor;

Plans for a project on modern methods
for processing straw into improved animal feeds prepared for funding
by a third party donor;

Improved rations for milk cows and
growing cattle formulated through a contract with AHRI, and evaluated
and demonstrated with herder, farmer and peri-urban livestock producer
groups;

Improved compound animal feeds for
ruminants formulated with the animal feed producers group through a
contract with AHRI, and evaluated and demonstrated with herder, farmer
and peri-urban livestock producer groups; and

140 public and private technicians and
600 farmers and herders trained in the production, conservation and
feeding of improved fodders and animal feeds.

4. IMPLEMENTATION

The international Fodder Production and Conservation consultant undertook
6 missions between October/November 2007 (when with project staff and
national consultants the project workplan was drafted) and December 2009.
Various national consultants undertook a number of missions over the same
period and an oat breeder visited from New Zealand. During the final visit
by the lead consultant a Final Workshop was held in Ulaanbaatar preceeded
by a number of local workshops at aimag level during which discussions
focused on future activities required to continue the initiatives started
under the project culminating in the Final Workshop in the preparation
and discussion of a document entitled Contributions Towards a Medium Term
Plan.

5. RESULTS and CONCLUSIONS

The project was implemented with simultaneous applied research, demonstration
and training activities on three main themes:

introduction, evaluation and demonstration of new and improved fodder
crops

introduction and demonstration of improved methods of hay and silage
making

Through capacity building improve farmers' fodder production and conservation
technology and livestock feeding practices

Lead farmers in seven soums (districts) in three aimags (provinces) were
selected for fodder crop production demonstrations in spring 2008. They
attended a training demonstration on fodder crop establishment, and grew
2 hectares (ha) annual fodder crops on their own farms. In 2009 lead farmers
from ten soums in four aimags held demonstrations on production of annual
fodder crops, attended by support farmers and herders who each received
seeds for 1 ha. Major constraints experienced by farmers and herders included:
difficulty to obtain land and permission to cultivate fodder crops, damage
to growing crops by animals of other herders, lack of working equipment
to cultivate land and sow fodder crops of various seed sizes, no irrigation,
a general lack of inputs and finance, and for herders lack of experience
in crop production. Farmers and herders require further assistance to
overcome these constraints.
Mid-summer rainfall constrains conservation of high quality fodder. The
project introduced "quick" hay making and efficient ensiling
techniques in 2009. Sets of mower-conditioner plus universal haymaker
were allocated to lead farmers in four soums, and forage harvesters to
lead farmers in four different soums. Farmers were trained to assemble,
operate and maintain their machines. Hay and silage making were demonstrated
in the four aimags, and lead farmers assisted support farmers and herders
to harvest their fodder crops. Small scale silage making was introduced
to two clusters. There remains a lack of machinery for silage making,
especially for small and medium scale producers, and the means to obtain
harvesters and choppers. Other constraints include: permission to reserve
and fence pasture land for hay, availability of balers, and hay spoilage
due to rain and snow.
The major constraint to winter nutrition was lack of conserved fodder.
A training workshop on feed rationing and animal feeds was held in October
2008. Demonstrations on mineral supplementation were established with
farmers, herders and livestock producers in 23 clusters in December 2008-April
2009. Participants reported much improved animal performance. Livestock
producers now want to feed mineral supplements, provided supplies are
available or they are taught to make their own with local materials.
Urea/molasses blocks and high protein pellets made for the project were
evaluated as protein supplements in six soums from December 2009. One
local feed mill made balanced compound feeds for ruminants, but adoption
by producers was low: feeds were expensive as few ingredients were grown
locally, transport costs were high, and storage facilities for concentrate
feeds were lacking in the soums. Despite training, livestock producers
still lack knowledge on nutritive value of feeds, and feeding cows and
cattle for milk and meat production.
Livestock producers had settled their livestock and adopted more intensive
practices, but higher costs were not covered by increased economic returns.
Producers continued calving cows in spring with low summer milk prices
instead of calving in autumn with high winter milk prices, and had little
concept of milk and meat production as commercial systems. Producers need
help to accept changes to their traditional systems, when fodder and feed
development will have most impact.

Farmers, herders and intensified livestock producers, and local government
officials and technicians joined project staff, ministry officials, and
staff from institutes and development projects at an Inception Workshop
in November 2007 to learn about and contribute to the project. At the
close, everyone who had taken part in the project attended Local Workshops
held in four aimags in November / December 2009. Participants reported
and discussed their own achievements in fodder development, and proposed
actions to be undertaken over the next three years. These actions were
presented at the Final Workshop held in December 2009 when attendees were
briefed on achievements of the project, then helped develop a Medium
Term Plan on actions required by livestock producers and to be taken
by government at local and national levels over the next five years.
The project team involved local government staff in all project activities,
including training workshops and on-farm demonstrations. Training was
led by project staff and included farmer to farmer knowledge transfer,
and training materials were distributed to all participants. Knowledge
on theory and practice of fodder development was lacking at the start
of the project, and continued training is needed at all levels.
As MoFALI had no farms, all fodder development was with the farmers, herders
and livestock producers. Rather than form official farmers’ or herders’
“groups” or “cooperatives”, the project worked with "clusters".
These comprised a "lead" farmer, herder or intensified livestock
producer and up to 10 "support" participants. However, the scale
of interventions - for example hay or silage making - was more oriented
to large scale lead producers, and more actions were required to assist
fodder development by small – medium scale “support” producers. These
included changes to the legal environment, increased availability of small
and medium scale fodder technology, supply of equipment and inputs, provision
of short and long term finance on favourable terms, market information,
and availability of and storage facilities for hay and concentrate feeds.
Support given to research institutes and departments of MSUA included
guidance on experimental methods for plant introduction and evaluation,
and new methods of laboratory analysis for long fodder and concentrate
feeds. Physical support included equipment for harvest and preservation
of fodder seeds, glassware, and a mixer for making feed blocks. Ruminant
nutrition software was provided for ration and feed formulation; and analyses
of pastures, long fodders and concentrate feeds were compiled as a database.
Despite recent acquisitions and study tours, research institutes still
require re-equipping and staff training for fodder development.
2 technical manuals (one in English and one in Mongolian) are being prepared
(but may not be ready until the end of 2010 as additional data will be
collected during 2010). The title of the English manual is likely to be:
Improving fodder production, conservation and feeding for intensified
milk and meat production in the Central region of Mongolia (TCP/MON/3103
(D) – FODDER): Training Manual.

Introduce new improved fodder crops and varieties for seed multiplication
and extension of the most suitable fodder crops and varieties

International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) Beijing supplied
seed of various breeders' lines of cereals from China in 2009. Similarly,
NZ CFR/PFR supplied breeders' lines of fodder oats in 2009. They also
supplied seeds of released varieties of annuals and perennials for on-station
evaluation in 2009, and sufficient seed of some selected varieties for
on-farm evaluation in 2010. Seeds were received by National Genebank at
PSARTI, catalogued, and distributed for trials, with small quantities
preserved at the Genebank.
CIMMYT lines were grown in introduction trials in 2009 with irrigation
at PSARTI Orhon field station, and rainfed at RTPC (Research, Training
and Production Centre of the Mongolian State University of Agriculture
– MSUA), Bornuur field station. NZ oat lines were grown with and without
irrigation at PSARTI Orhon field station. Released NZ fodder varieties
were grown in various evaluation trials in 2009 at PSARTI Orhon and RTPC
Bornuur. Outstanding new fodder crops were: annuals - lupins, annual ryegrasses,
and leafy and root brassicas; perennials - ryegrasses, lucerne, and red
and Persian clovers. Excellent results in 2009 warrant continuation of
introduction and evaluation trials on-station, and extension of selected
varieties to on-farm evaluation in 2010.
Seeds of annual fodder crops were multiplied on PSARTI field stations,
and under contract with PSARTI by commercial farmers. However, the seed
multiplication and certification system in Mongolia is not well defined,
even for wheat, while standards for each fodder crop have to be set.

Introduction and evaluation trials at the Orhon field station of
PSARTI (MSUA) in early August 2009, showing CIMMYT cereal lines in
the foreground.
Photo: Dr S. Reynolds

Introduction and evaluation trials at Bornuur field station, RTPC
of MSUA in August 2009, showing CIMMYT cereal lines in the foreground
and New Zealand varieties in the background.
Photo: Dr I. Lane

Students with the evaluation trial of released varieties of leafy
brassicas from New Zealand grown at the Bornuur field station.
Photo: Dr I. Lane

Fodder conservation demonstration on a farm in Batsumber soum, Tuv
aimag. One of the national consultants listens to questions from
farmers on how to grow the fodder crops of oats and maize being
demonstrated.
Photo: Dr I. Lane

Introduction trials of CIMMYT material
grown under irrigation at the Orhon field station of PSARTI (MSUA).
Photo: Dr I. Lane

Evaluation trial of released varieties from New Zealand grown under
irrigation at the Orhon field station - short rotation ryegrass (Lolium
multiflorum)
Photo: K. A. Armstrong

Evaluation trial of released varieties of perennial fodder crops
from New Zealand grown at the Bornuur field station - Red clover
(Trifolium pratense)
Photo: Dr I. Lane

Demonstration of “Quick” hay making at a farm in Khangal soum, Selenge
aimag, on permanent pasture: SIP Uro rotary tedder-rake (universal
haymaker), mounted on a modern John Deere tractor, spreading out the
mown crop.
Photo: Dr I. Lane

One of the national consultants outlining the benefits of “Quick”
hay making to a group of farmers.
Photo: Dr I. Lane

Farmers’ demonstration of modern
methods of silage making at a farm in Darkhan soum, Darkhan-uul:
Forage harvesting a light crop of mixed annual fodders comprised
mainly of oats, with the Casale 1300 double chop forage harvester
powered by a medium sized tractor from the socialist era; note the
canvas extensions to the trailer made on-farm.
Photo: Dr I. Lane

Part of the cattle herd of one of the cooperating farmers (August
2009).
Photo: Dr S. Reynolds